September 24, 2024—Volunteers across Franklin County removed over two tons of trash and debris from our shorelines and landscape on Saturday, September 21. The 220 volunteers of the annual International Coastal Clean Up were fanned out across 14 sites from Bald Point State Park to Seafood Landing Park in Apalachicola. They removed litter and debris, including
cigarette butts, cans, vape cartridges, foam cups, food containers, construction debris, a boat motor, tires, over 40 derelict crab traps, and a refrigerator. Unusual items reported included a shop vac, bike frame, tent, ceramic skull, Barbie doll, and a law enforcement badge (which was returned). Here’s a photo album of the morning.
A worldwide event, the annual Coastal Clean-Up in Franklin County is coordinated by Apalachicola Riverkeeper in collaboration with the Ocean Conservancy, Franklin County Solid Waste, St. George Island Trash Patrol, and Keep Franklin County Beautiful. This year’s event was dedicated to the legacy of Ada Long who passed away earlier this year. Ada was the longtime volunteer coordinator, overseeing the many details of planning. Georgia Ackerman, a co-coordinator of this year’s event said, “We all wanted to make Ada proud of us. Ada inspired us. She told me once, ‘The natural world we live in is the greatest gift we have.’ The annual cleanup gives us an opportunity to put our care of Franklin County into action.”
Jo Pearman, a site coordinator on St. George Island said, “All and all it was a good turnout for the island, collecting about 235 pounds of trash from all over the island and on the bay. And that doesn’t include a tire, a boat motor, rebar, and a piece of old chain link fence.” Jo now coordinates St. George Island Trash Patrol.
Sites ranged from 2 volunteers at Abercrombie Landing to 52 volunteers at Bald Point State Park. All volunteers made a difference. Notably, several sites had student and scouting groups show up to pitch in. St. George Island State Park benefitted from the help of 
a Bainbridge, Georgia scouting troop who removed 150 pounds of trash. Heidi Montgomery, an Eastpoint site coordinator was encouraged by the hard work of Eastpoint Scout Troop 22 and several freshmen from Franklin County School, saying, “The positive energy from the group exponentially increased.” Susan Macken of Apalachicola Riverkeeper said several residents stopped to thank them during the morning clean up. In Battery Park, Susan Anderson, also of Apalachicola Riverkeeper, said she talked with several residents about water issues and how to get involved.
Bald Point State Park had participants from Florida State University’s Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society and Audubon youth cadets working with local retirees. The collective team removed litter, construction debris, and 40 derelict crab traps from the beach area.
Kathy Swaggerty has coordinated Lanark Beach for several years. She reported, “Every year is different, and this was the perfect weather day. I was happy to see some of the loyal volunteers that come every year and a couple of new folks. The most often comment when they returned was how little trash there was to pick up. This was great problem to have!” The volunteers were also treated to a pancake breakfast by the Lanark Village Boat Club.
Lynn Wilder of Keep Franklin County Beautiful was gladdened by the impressive litter retrieval skills of volunteers at Two Mile (Seafood Landing Park), working with nets on long extension poles to pull litter from the marshes. The group also sorted cans to go to recycling, an effort spearheaded by the group. Trash and debris in soil and water threaten human health, water quality, boating safety, and wildlife habitat. The annual Coastal Clean Up volunteers shared a few hours of time to make a big, collective difference for our shorelines and communities.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper wants to again thank partners, site coordinators, site sponsors, the Forecastle Foundation and the volunteers who all worked together to support a successful, collective Clean Up for Franklin County. Together, we make a difference for our natural world!
